Rodrigo Zalazar

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Rodrigo Zalazar

| full_name = Rodrigo Zalazar Martínez

| image =

| caption =

| height = 1.80 m{{cite web | url = https://schalke04.de/en/teams/profis/person/rodrigo-zalazar/ | title = Rodrigo Zalazar | publisher = FC Schalke 04 | access-date = 4 August 2022}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1999|08|12}}

| birth_place = Albacete, Spain

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Braga

| clubnumber = 16

| youthyears1 = 2007–2014

| youthclubs1 = Albacete

| youthyears2 = 2014–2016

| youthclubs2 = Málaga

| youthyears3 = 2016–2017

| youthclubs3 = San Félix

| youthyears4 = 2017–2018

| youthclubs4 = Málaga

| years1 = 2018–2019

| clubs1 = Málaga B

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2019–2022

| clubs2 = Eintracht Frankfurt

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2019–2020

| clubs3 = → Korona Kielce (loan)

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2019–2020

| clubs4 = → Korona Kielce II (loan)

| caps4 = 10

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2020–2021

| clubs5 = → FC St. Pauli (loan)

| caps5 = 34

| goals5 = 6

| years6 = 2021–2022

| clubs6 = → Schalke 04 (loan)

| caps6 = 30

| goals6 = 6

| years7 = 2022–2023

| clubs7 = Schalke 04

| caps7 = 22

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2023–

| clubs8 = Braga

| caps8 = 51

| goals8 = 10

| nationalyears1 = 2018–2019

| nationalteam1 = Uruguay U20

| nationalcaps1 = 19

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2023–

| nationalteam2 = Uruguay

| nationalcaps2 = 3

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| club-update = 23:00, 17 May 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 6 June 2025

}}

Rodrigo Zalazar Martínez (born 12 August 1999) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Primeira Liga club Braga and the Uruguay national team.{{Soccerway|565522}}{{cite web|title=8 - Rodrigo Zalazar|url=https://www.auf.org.uy/8-rodrigo-zalazar/|accessdate=27 July 2019}}

Club career

=Early career=

Zalazar joined the youth categories of Albacete Balompié in 2007, aged eight.{{cite web|url=https://as.com/futbol/internacional/rodrigo-zalazar-talento-uruguayo-cultivado-en-albacete-n/|title=Rodrigo Zalazar: talento uruguayo cultivado en Albacete|trans-title=Rodrigo Zalazar: Uruguayan talent raised at Albacete|publisher=Diario AS|language=es|date=4 July 2023|accessdate=12 July 2023}} In 2014, he moved to Málaga CF and was initially assigned to the Cadete squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/2014/11/06/futbol/futbol_internacional/resto_de_america/1415292651.html|title=La saga de los Zalazar|trans-title=The saga of the Zalazar|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=6 November 2014|accessdate=12 July 2023}}

In 2018, after finishing his formation, Zalazar was promoted to Málaga's reserve team in Segunda División B, but remained unregistered for the entire season after the club had no free registration spots;{{cite web|url=https://www.eldesmarque.com/futbol/malaga-cf/20180901/asi-queda-la-plantilla-del-atletico-malagueno_120163406.html|title=Así queda la plantilla del Atlético Malagueño|trans-title=This is how the Atlético Malagueño squad end up|publisher=El Desmarque|language=es|date=1 September 2018|accessdate=12 July 2023}} he then refused a loan to a Tercera División side, as his contract was due to expire in the following summer.{{cite web|url=https://www.merchanendirecto.es/futbol/incomprensible-melendez-y-rodri-zalazar-sin-ficha/|title=¡Incomprensible! Meléndez y Rodri Zalazar, sin ficha|trans-title=Incomprehensible! Meléndez and Rodri Zalazar, unregistered|publisher=Merchán en directo|language=es|date=3 September 2019|accessdate=12 July 2023}}

=Eintracht Frankfurt=

On 2 July 2019, Zalazar signed a four-year contract with Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt on 2 July 2019.{{cite web|title=Eintracht Frankfurt sign Rodrigo Zalazar, could be sent out on loan|url=https://www.eintracht.de/en/news/article/eintracht-frankfurt-sign-rodrigo-zalazar-could-be-sent-out-on-loan-73838/|publisher=Eintracht Frankfurt|accessdate=27 July 2019}}

==Loan to Korona Kielce==

Three days after joining Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekstraklasa side Korona Kielce signed Zalazar on a one-year loan deal for 2019–20 season.{{cite web|title=Rodrigo Zalazar loaned to Korona Kielce|url=https://www.eintracht.de/en/news/article/rodrigo-zalazar-loaned-to-korona-kielce-73910/|publisher=Eintracht Frankfurt|accessdate=27 July 2019}} He made his professional debut on 20 July 2019, coming on as a 70th minute substitute for Erik Pačinda in a 1–0 league win against Raków Częstochowa.{{cite web|title=RAKÓW CZĘSTOCHOWA VS. KORONA KIELCE 1-0|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2019/07/20/poland/ekstraklasa/ks-rakow-czestochowa/mks-korona-kielce/3025704/|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=27 July 2019}}

Rarely used in the first team, Zalazar also played for Korona Kielce II in the III liga, scoring three goals in 10 appearances.

==Loan to FC St. Pauli==

On 6 August 2020, 2. Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli announced the signing of Zalazar on a season-long loan deal.{{cite web|title=Der FC St. Pauli verpflichtet Mittelfeldspieler Rodrigo Zalazar|trans-title=FC St. Pauli signed midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar|url=https://www.fcstpauli.com/news/der-fc-st-pauli-verpflichtet-rodrigo-zalazar/|publisher=FC St. Pauli|language=de|accessdate=6 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=St. Pauli leiht Rodrigo Zalazar von Eintracht Frankfurt aus |trans-title=St. Pauli is loaning Rodrigo Zalazar from Eintracht Frankfurt|url=https://www.kicker.de/st_pauli_leiht_zalazar_aus-781305/artikel |website=kicker |access-date=6 August 2020 |language=German |date=6 August 2020}} He scored his first professional goal on 19 October, netting the equalizer through a penalty in a 2–2 home draw against 1. FC Nürnberg.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcstpauli.com/en/news/published/rodrigo-zalazar-speaks-to-the-press-after-the-nurnberg-game/|title=Zalazar: "I feel very much at home and try to show that on the pitch"|publisher=FC St. Pauli|date=21 October 2020|accessdate=12 July 2023}}

Zalazar finished the 2020–21 season with six goals in 35 appearances overall, as St. Pauli finished in the 10th position.

=Schalke 04=

On 4 August 2021, Zalazar agreed to join fellow second division side Schalke 04 on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent until 2026.{{cite news|url=https://schalke04.de/en/team/rodrigo-zalazar-joins-fc-schalke-04/|title=Rodrigo Zalazar joins FC Schalke 04|website=FC Schalke 04|date=4 August 2021}} On 25 March 2022, Schalke exercised this option, and he agreed to a permanent four-year contract with the club, effective as of 1 July.{{cite news|url=https://schalke04.de/en/team/rodrigo-zalazar-signs-permanent-deal-with-fc-schalke-04/|title=Rodrigo Zalazar signs permanent deal with FC Schalke 04|website=Schalke 04|date=25 March 2022}} He ended the campaign as a starter as the club achieved promotion to the Bundesliga as champions.

Zalazar made his debut in the main category of German football on 7 August 2022, starting in a 3–1 away loss against 1. FC Köln. He scored his first goal in the top tier six days later, netting the opener in a 2–2 home draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

In June 2023, after Schalke's relegation back to the second level, newspaper Bild reported that Zalazar was seeking a move away from the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/schalke/wegen-marius-buelter-rodrigo-zalazar-fc-schalke-04-droht-transfer-stau-84291778.bild.html|title=Schalke droht Transfer-Stau|trans-title=Schalke threatens a transfer jam|publisher=Bild|language=de|date=11 June 2023|accessdate=12 July 2023}}

International career

Born in Spain to Uruguayan parents, Zalazar was eligible to represent both Uruguay and Spain at international level. While his older brother chose Spain, he followed his father's footsteps and chose to play for Uruguay.{{cite web|title=Rodrigo Zalazar nació en Albacete y eligió jugar para Uruguay|trans-title=Rodrigo Zalazar was born in Albacete and chose to play for Uruguay|publisher=Radio Uruguay|language=es|url=http://radiouruguay.uy/rodrigo-zalazar-nacio-en-albacete-y-eligio-jugar-para-uruguay/|accessdate=27 July 2019}}

Zalazar started to feature for the nation's under-20 team in 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.malagacf.com/noticias/la-sub-20-uruguaya-cuenta-con-rodri|title=La Sub-20 uruguaya cuenta con Rodri|trans-title=The Uruguay under-20s count with Rodri|publisher=Málaga CF|language=es|date=12 June 2018|accessdate=12 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eldesmarque.com/futbol/malaga-cf/20180924/rodri-zalazar-campeon-con-uruguay-sub-20-en-catar_120165637.html|title=Rodri Zalazar, campeón con Uruguay sub 20 en Catar|trans-title=Rodri Zalazar, champion with Uruguay under-20s in Qatar|publisher=El Desmarque|language=es|date=24 September 2018|accessdate=12 July 2023}} being also included in Fabián Coito's squad for the 2019 South American U-20 Championship in January 2019.{{cite web |title=Sub-20 Plantel para Chile 2019 |url=http://www.auf.org.uy/Portal/NEWS/15122/0/Sub20__Plantel_para_Chile_2019/|trans-title=Squad of the under-20s for Chile 2019 |publisher=AUF |date=19 December 2018 |language=Spanish |access-date=15 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116045859/http://www.auf.org.uy/Portal/NEWS/15122/0/Sub20__Plantel_para_Chile_2019/ |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=dead }} He played seven matches in the tournament, helping his team to finish third.

In June 2023, Zalazar received his first call-up to the senior team for friendly matches against Nicaragua and Cuba.{{cite web|title=Siguen sumándose futbolistas convocados a los entrenamientos|trans-title=Footballers called up to trainings keep on joining|url=https://www.auf.org.uy/siguen-sumandose-futbolistas-convocados-a-los-entrenamientos/|publisher=AUF|language=es|date=5 June 2023|access-date=15 June 2023}} He made his debut on 14 June, scoring two goals in a 4–1 win against the former.{{cite web|title=Selección: Bielsa eligió a Matías Viña como capitán en un equipo con muchos debutantes|trans-title=National team: Bielsa chose Matías Viña as captain in a team with a lot of debutants|url=https://www.futbol.com.uy/Deportes/Seleccion-Bielsa-eligio-a-Matias-Vina-como-capitan-en-un-equipo-con-muchos-debutantes-uc856920|publisher=Fútbol.uy|language=es|date=14 June 2023|access-date=15 June 2023}}

Personal life

Rodrigo is the son of former Uruguay international footballer José Zalazar, and the brother of former Spanish youth international Kuki Zalazar{{cite web|title=Talented midfielder with an eye for goal|url=https://en.eintracht.de/news/talented-midfielder-with-an-eye-for-goal-73840|publisher=Eintracht Frankfurt|access-date=27 July 2019}} and Schalke 04 player Mauro Zalazar.{{cite web|url=https://schalke04.de/en/team/mauro-zalazar-transfer/|title=Mauro Zalazar moves to FC Schalke 04|website=FC Schalke 04|date=20 August 2024}} He was born in Albacete, Castilla–La Mancha, while his father was a player of the local club Albacete.

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 17 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/rodrigo-zalazar/2/|title=Rodrigo Zalazar - Club matches|website=worldfootball.net}}

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan=2\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan=2\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Polish Cup, DFB-Pokal, Taça de Portugal}} !colspan=2\|League cup{{efn\|Includes Taça da Liga}} !colspan=2\|Europe !colspan=2\|Total
Eintracht Frankfurt \|2019–20 \|Bundesliga \|0	0	0	0	colspan=2\|—	0	0	0	0
Korona Kielce (loan) \|2019–20 \|Ekstraklasa \|8	0	1	0	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	9	0
Korona Kielce II (loan) \|2019–20 \|III liga \|10	3	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	10	3
FC St. Pauli (loan) \|2020–21 \|2. Bundesliga \|34	6	1	0	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	35	6
Schalke 04 (loan) \|2021–22 \|2. Bundesliga \|30	6	2	1	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	32	7
Schalke 04 \|2022–23 \|Bundesliga \|22	1	1	1	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	23	2
rowspan="3"\|Braga \|2023–24 \|Primeira Liga \|32	6	2	2	4	0	11{{efn\|Nine appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	0	49	8
2024–25 \|Primeira Liga \|19	4	1	0	1	0	8{{efn\|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	2	29	6
colspan="2"\|Total !51	10	3	2	5	0	19	2	78	14
colspan=3\|Career total !155	26	8	4	5	0	19	2	187	32

=International=

National team	Year	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan=3\|Uruguay \|2023	1	2
2024	1{{efn\|Includes a Non-FIFA friendly played against Basque Country, which is counted as an official match by Uruguayan Football Association.}}	0
2025	1	0
colspan=2\|Total	3	2

:Scores and results list Uruguay's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Zalazar goal.

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Rodrigo Zalazar
scope="col"\|No. !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Venue !scope="col"\|Opponent !scope="col"\|Score !scope="col"\|Result !scope="col"\|Competition
align="center"\|1	rowspan="2"\|14 June 2023	rowspan="2"\|Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay	rowspan="2"\|{{fb\|NCA}}	align="center"\|2–0	rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"\|4–1	rowspan="2"\|Friendly
align="center"\|2	align="center"\|4–0

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Rodrigo Zalazar

scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

align="center"|1

rowspan="2"|14 June 2023

rowspan="2"|Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay

rowspan="2"|{{fb|NCA}}

align="center"|2–0

rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|4–1

rowspan="2"|Friendly

align="center"|2

align="center"|4–0

Honours

Schalke 04

2. Bundesliga: 2021–22{{cite web|title=Schalke crowned 2021/22 Bundesliga 2 champions|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/2bundesliga/news/schalke-crowned-2021-22-bundesliga-2-champions-19963|date=15 May 2022|access-date=16 May 2022}}

Braga

Taça da Liga: 2023–24{{Cite news |date=27 January 2024 |title=Sp. Braga vence a Taça da Liga pela terceira vez |trans-title=Sp. Braga wins Taça da Liga for the third time |url=https://www.publico.pt/2024/01/27/desporto/cronica_de_jogo/sp-braga-vence-taca-liga-terceira-2078385 |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=Público |language=pt}}

Individual

Primeira Liga Midfielder of the Month: January 2024{{Cite web |date=13 February 2024 |title=Zalazar named VITO Midfielder of the Month in Liga Portugal Betclic |url=https://www.ligaportugal.pt/en/epocas/20232024/noticias/geral/premios/liga-portugal-betclic/janeiro/zalazar-eleito-vito-medio-do-mes-de-janeiro-da-liga-portugal-betclic/ |access-date=14 February 2024 |website= |publisher=Liga Portuguesa de Futebol Profissional}}